                                  
                   About Type II (Non-insulin Dependent)
                             Diabetes Mellitus

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     Type 2 Diabetes

          Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes
          mellitus (NIDDM), is a serious disease that requires effective
          control.

          Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased morbidity and
          mortality, mainly from cardiovascular diseases, when compared
          with the general population 1,2 (Table 1).

          Type 2 diabetes is not a mild form of Type 1 diabetes (insulin-
          dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM) and can also lead to impaired
          vision, renal function and nerve damage.

          Unlike Type 1 diabetes, the insidious nature of Type 2 diabetes
          means that many patients have only mild symptoms or, indeed, no
          symptoms at all. Consequently, patients often do not present
          until cardiovascular and other end organ damage has occurred 2.

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                   Complications Associated With Type 2 Diabetes 1

            TABLE 1.                  Prevalence in     Prevalence Ratio
                                     Type 2 Diabetes        between
                                           (%)        Type 2 Diabetes and
                                                          the General
                                                           Population

            Mortality                       -                 2-3

            Ischaemic Heart
            Disease                        50                  2

            Peripheral Vascular
            Disease                        50                 2-6

            Chronic Foot Ulcers             8                  4

            Amputations                     2                  20

            Stroke                          3                 4-10

            Hypertension                   45                  2

            Hyperlipidaemia                45                 4-5

            Reduced Visual Acuity:
            - All ages                     11                  -
            - > 60 years of age            38                  2

            Clinical Nephropathy            8                  5

            Urinary Tract
            Infections:
            Men                             6                  2
            Women                          30                  2

            Polyneuropathy                6-50                 -

            Autonomic Neuropathy           40                  2

          Evidence is mounting that if Type 2 diabetes is recognized
          earlier and treated more effectively, then the progression of
          complications can be slowed and the morbidity and mortality
          associated with this condition reduced.

          Early and more effective treatment can be achieved through early
          diagnosis   namely, screening by measuring blood glucose levels
          (Figure 1) in patients at risk, or those presenting with symptoms
          associated with diabetes 3,4.

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     Prevalence

          It has been estimated that the overall prevalence of Type 2
          diabetes in Caucasian populations is approximately 2%. However,
          the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes increases with age 5:
                  + 4% of the population above 60 years of age
                  + 10% of the population above 70 years of age.

          Furthermore, it has been estimated that approximately another 2%
          of the total population currently have undiagnosed Type 2
          diabetes.


           Copyright Š Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, 1995
         Ž Novocare is a Registered Trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S
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